Disclaimer: I don't own RENT. However I do own Carmen.

December 24th 11pm EST

The phone rang out and the young girl gave a start. She had been sitting on her bed, curled up with a good book – a sad way to welcome Christmas, but she wasn't in the mood for associating with her step-mother's friends and that's where the rest of the household were. It took her a moment to realize it was her cell, and not the house phone that was ringing. She padded over, wrapping her blanket around her shoulders and picked it up."Hello?"
"Carmen Marquez?"
"Yes…" Carmen took her place back on her bed. She didn't recognize the voice on the other line.
"This is Nurse Jacobson, I'm from-" Carmen barely heard the name of the hospital as she began to panic. Please don't be the kind of call I think this is… "…concerning your sister Miranda."
"Mimi." She corrected automatically.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Mimi. We, uh, we call her Mimi. Everyone calls her Mimi."
"Right." The nurse seemed confused about the trivial bit of information. "The 911 call was made by her friends about an hour ago. She arrived about 30 minutes ago. She's listed you as her emergency contact." Carmen's heart was pounding. She's still alive. I have to get over there.
"I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Thank you." Without another word Carmen hung up and immediately dialed another number. The phone on the other end of the line rang for 20 seconds. Carmen was about to hang up, cursing, when a deep voice came on
"Hello?" there was a party in the background.
"Hey, it's me."
"Carmen?" he sounded confused, but concern immediately took over. "What's happened?"
"It's Mimi."
"I'm on my way."

Carmen wrote a not to her father explaining that she was leaving and that she wasn't coming home. There would be hell to pa from her step-mother, but Carmen didn't care anymore about getting into trouble. She was old enough to take care of herself, and had promised years ago to always be there for Mimi. In the past 5 years – since Mimi ran away – Carmen had felt powerless in her sister's downward spiral. She was able to provide kind words of comfort over the phone despite her aversion to the job Mimi worked and her disapproval of her drug habit but nothing more. Now, as she packed everything she could carry, she felt that she could finally fulfill her promise completely and to her very best ability. She was aware of Mimi's new family in Alphabet City, and was grateful to them, but a lot of them would eventually fall sick as well and then who would Mimi have?
A horn beeped from outside, Carmen gave the house one last sweeping look, and then stepped out onto the pavement ready to face whatever it was she was getting herself into.

At the hospital, Roger Davis sat waiting. His head was hung low and fresh tears were spilling from his bright green eyes. Mark and Collins sat either side of him with one arm each draped around his shoulders. Mimi had been taked away to be tested and treated, but no one who worked there would breathe another word to them. Maureen, who was now with Joanne getting everyone hot drinks, had put up a fight at the reception desk when they were told no one besides a spouse or family member could have information on Mimi's progress."We're the only family she's got!" the young diva cried, causing a few other patrons to look up. The nurse behind the desk showed little sympathy.
"We've called a blood relative that Miss Marquez advised us to call in an emergency. Please take a seat." She turned her attention to another woman. Joaane place her hand on Maureen's waist and guided her away.
"C'mon Mo."
"This is bullshit! Who the hell is this relative?! Why haven't we heard of anyone until now?!"
"I don't know." Joanne replied, sounding drained. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough."
When the couple reappeared the men took their drinks with expressions of gratitude. Roger used his to warm his hands rather than consumption. Silence ensued. All they could do was wait.